The DICA-ASD is a semi-structured clinical interview that provides a measure of self-reported Acute Stress Disorder symptomatology and diagnosis. It was adapted from the PTSD module of the DICA.

It consists of one item that assesses for the event and child’s age at the time of the event, 3 items that assess for the DSM-IV A2 ASD criteria, and 40 symptom items that correspond to the DSMIV criteria for ASD and assess Dissociation, Reexperiencing, Avoidance, and Arousal.

Domain(s) Assessed :

Traumatic Stress

Language(s) :

English

Measure Type:

In-depth Assessment

# of Items:

44

Measure Format:

Semi-structured Interview

Average Time to Complete (min):

15

Reporter Type:

Self

Average Time to Score (min):

5

Response Format:

3-point scale(1=No, 2=Sometimes, 3=Yes)

Materials Needed:

Paper/Pencil

Sample Item(s):

Domains

Scale

Sample Items

Acute StressDisorderSymptomatology

Dissociation

At the time of the ___ (TRAUMATIC EVENT) did youfeel spaced out or dazed?

Reexperiencing

Have you ever been really upset because you sawsomething that reminded you of the ____ (TRAUMATICEVENT)?

Avoidance

Do you try not to think or talk about ____ (TRAUMATICEVENT)?

Arousal

Since the ____ (TRAUMATIC EVENT), do you have alot more trouble than usual falling asleep or stayingasleep?

Information Provided:

Areas of Concern/Risks

Continuous Assessment

Diagnostic Info DSM IV

Dichotomous Assessment

Raw Scores

For Specific Populations:

Complex Trauma

Training

Administration Training:

> Or = to 4 Hours Training by Experienced Clinician

Training to Interpret:

Training by Experienced Clinician (4+hours)

Parallel/Alternate Forms

Parallel Form:

No

Alternate Form:

No

Different Age Forms:

No

Altered Version Forms:

No

Psychometrics

Clinical Cutoffs:

Yes

If Yes, Specify Cutoffs:

Scored according to the DSM-IV with symptoms considered endorsed if answered as Yes or Sometimes.

Reliability:

Type:

Rating

Statistics

Min

Max

Avg

Test-Retest

Internal Consistency

Acceptable

Cronbach's Alpha

0.76

0.93

0.85

Inter-rater

Acceptable

Cohen's kappa

1

1

1

Parallel/Alternate Forms

References for Reliability:

Saxe (manuscript in preparation) reports the following reliability data. Details regarding the sample can be found under “Population Used to Develop the Measure.”

INTERNAL CONSISTENCY (alpha)Total DICA-ASD (Note: 3 items were not included):Whole Sample (.88), Burn subsample (.93), Injury subsample (.84)Dissociation Items: Whole Sample (.80), Burn subsample (.86), Injury subsample (.76)Data are not provided on the reliability of Reexperiencing, Avoidance, or Arousal clusters;but it can be assumed that they have good reliability, given that they are part of the DICAPTSD module.

The DICA-ASD is based on the DICA-PTSD. New items tapping dissociation were adapted from the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire and the Child PTSD Reaction Index, two widely used and widely accepted measures.

Construct Validity Evaluated:

Yes

Construct Validity:

Validity Type

Not known

Not found

Nonclincal Samples

Clinical Samples

Diverse Samples

Convergent/Concurrent

Yes

Discriminant

Yes

Sensitive to Change

Intervention Effects

Longitudinal/Maturation Effects

Sensitive to Theoretically Distinct Groups

Factorial Validity

References for Construct Validity:

Saxe (manuscript in preparation) reports the following data:Those diagnosed with ASD using the DICA-ASD had significantly higher scores on the CBCL PTSD scale, the PTSD Reaction Index, and the Child StressDisorder Checklist (both Nurse and Parent reports) than those who did not meet criteria. Support for discriminant validity was found in that the diagnostic grouping

(based on the DICA-ASD) did not differ on the CBCL Thought Problems or Delinquency scales.

Criterion Validity Evaluated:

No

Criterion Validity:

Not Known

Not Found

Nonclinical Samples

Clinical Samples

Diverse Samples

Predictive Validity:

Postdictive Validity:

Overall Psychometric Limitations:

NOT A CON: The measure is still under construction, but is promising and is important, as it yields both ASD symptomatology and diagnostic information obtained through Child Self-Report.1. The data provided support the validity of DICA-ASD diagnosis but do not examine the validity of ASD symptomatology, as assessed by the DICA-ASD.2. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity need to be established testing the measure against alternate diagnostic measure.3. Reliability was examined for the total DICA-ASD score and the Dissociation score but not for the other scales. While the other scales are from the DICA-PTSD and should share reliability, it would be helpful to know the reliability with regard to detecting symptoms immediately following trauma exposure.

Population Information

Population Used For Measure Development:

(Details from Saxe, manuscript in preparation)Psychometrics were examined with 140 children in the immediate aftermath of a burn (n=41) or injury (n=99).

Measure has demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity in which populations?:

Medical Trauma

Accidents

Assault

Other

Pros & Cons/References

Pros:

1. This is the one of the few measures that yields both a diagnosis and measure of ASD symptomatology. The measure is especially important, given the importance of detecting Acute Stress Disorder in children who have been exposed to traumas, and the importance of understanding the relation between ASD and PTSD.2. The measure allows for assessment of ASD using Child Report.

Cons:

1. There is limited published data using the measure. More research is needed to establish the measure's psychometrics.2. The data provided support the validity of DICA-ASD diagnosis but do not examine the validity of ASD symptomatology, as assessed by the DICA-ASD.3. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity need to be established testing the measure against alternate diagnostic measure.4. Similar to other diagnostic measures (e.g., DISC, SCID, C-PTSDI) for individual items, there is no coding of intensity, which may limit the measure’s statistical power and ability to detect potential change. Individuals may decrease in the intensity of a specific symptom while still meeting criteria for that symptom.

Author Comments :

Author reviewed this report and provided feedback, which was integrated.